Devices and methods include communication devices and network devices configured to automatically connect to each other over a password protected network connection without a user setting the password for the password protected network connection. The communication devices may communicate over the password protected network connection to the network device and further to a communication service for providing interpretive services for hearing-impaired users, such as text captions, during a call. Predetermined network names and associated passwords may be persistent prior to set up as well as after a hard reset in which other user defined settings may be erased.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A communication device specifically configured for use by a hearing-impaired user to participate in communication sessions with assistance of a communication service, the communication device comprising: a microphone configured to generate a near-end signal; a speaker configured to produce sound from a far-end signal; communication elements configured to communicate with a network device; an electronic display; a memory device; and a processor operably coupled with the microphone, the speaker, the communication elements, the electronic display, and the memory device, wherein the processor is configured to: monitor service set identifiers (SSIDs) for detecting a predetermined SSID for a local wireless password protected network connection broadcast by the network device; and automatically connect to the local wireless password protected network connection in response to detecting the predetermined SSID prior to an initial attempt at connecting being initiated by an end-user of the communication device, and by: retrieving a specific predetermined password that was set as a corresponding password for the predetermined SSID within the network device without input from the end-user of the communication device; and transmitting the specific predetermined password to the network device for comparison with the corresponding password stored by the network device, wherein the specific predetermined password is determined by the processor to correspond to the predetermined SSID prior to the initial attempt to connect to the local wireless password protected network; and communicate with a remote communication service through the network device during a call to send the far-end signal to the remote communication service and receive text captions from the remote communication service over the local wireless password protected network; and display the text captions on the electronic display for a hearing-impaired user during the call.
A communication device designed for hearing-impaired users automatically connects to a Wi-Fi network to access communication services like real-time captioning. It features a microphone, speaker, display, and processor. The device constantly scans for specific Wi-Fi network names (SSIDs). When it finds a pre-defined SSID, it automatically connects without the user entering a password. It retrieves a matching password that was previously set on the network. The device then uses this Wi-Fi connection to send audio to a captioning service and displays received text captions on its screen for the user during calls.
2. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the memory device has at least a portion of the specific predetermined password stored therein, and the processor is configured to retrieve the specific predetermined password from the memory device prior to transmitting the specific predetermined password to the network device.
Building upon the communication device that automatically connects to Wi-Fi networks for hearing-impaired users, the device stores the pre-defined Wi-Fi password directly in its memory. When a specific Wi-Fi network name (SSID) is detected, the device's processor retrieves the corresponding password from its internal memory before attempting to connect. This eliminates the need for the device to derive the password each time a connection is established, making the connection process faster. The device's Wi-Fi connection is used to send audio to a captioning service and displays received text captions.
3. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the memory device includes instructions stored therein for the processor to retrieve the specific predetermined password by automatically deriving the specific predetermined password using the predetermined SSID without the specific predetermined password being stored in the memory device.
Continuing from the communication device designed for hearing-impaired users that automatically connects to Wi-Fi networks, instead of storing the pre-defined Wi-Fi password, the device contains instructions to calculate the password based on the detected Wi-Fi network name (SSID). The device's processor uses these instructions to automatically derive the correct password when it finds a pre-defined SSID, without needing a stored password. This reduces the device's memory footprint and improves security. The device's Wi-Fi connection is used to send audio to a captioning service and displays received text captions.
4. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the memory device includes at least a portion of the predetermined SSID stored therein, and the processor is configured to retrieve the portion of the predetermined SSID for detecting the predetermined SSID broadcast by the network device.
In the communication device for hearing-impaired users that automatically connects to Wi-Fi networks, the device stores at least part of the pre-defined Wi-Fi network name (SSID) in its memory. The device uses this stored portion to help quickly identify the correct Wi-Fi network when scanning available networks. The processor retrieves this stored portion of the SSID to detect the complete predetermined SSID broadcasted by a network device. This helps the device connect to the captioning service.
5. The communication device of claim 4 , wherein the portion of the specific predetermined password and the portion of the predetermined SSID are preloaded into the memory device of the communication device prior to the communication device being received by the end user for a first time.
Considering the communication device that automatically connects to Wi-Fi networks for hearing-impaired users, both the partial Wi-Fi password and the partial Wi-Fi network name (SSID) are pre-loaded into the device's memory before the user receives it. This "out-of-the-box" configuration allows the device to automatically connect to the intended Wi-Fi network and captioning service without any initial setup steps by the user.
6. The communication device of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to not permit the specific predetermined password for the local wireless password protected network connection to be changed by the hearing-impaired user.
Focusing on the communication device for hearing-impaired users with automatic Wi-Fi connection, the device is designed to prevent the user from changing the pre-defined Wi-Fi password. This ensures that the device always connects to the intended network for accessing the communication services. This prevents accidental or malicious disruption of access to the captioning service.
7. A network device, comprising: a memory device having a predetermined password stored thereon that is not defined by a user of a communication device; communication elements; and a processor operably coupled with the memory device and communication elements, wherein the processor is configured to: broadcast a local wireless signal through the communication elements for a password protected network connection using a predetermined service set identifier (SSID) having the predetermined password as its corresponding password; receive a password from the communication device with a request to connect to the password protected network connection responsive to the communication device detecting the predetermined SSID prior to an initial request to connect being initiated by the user of the communication device; compare the password received from the communication device with the predetermined password stored in the memory device corresponding to the predetermined SSID; connect the communication device to the password protected network connection responsive to receiving the password from the communication device that matches the predetermined password stored in the memory device; and facilitate communication between the communication device and a remote communication service to receive text captions from the remote communication service and to transmit the text captions to the communication device over the password protected network connection for display by the communication device to a hearing-impaired user.
A network device, such as a Wi-Fi router, is pre-configured with a Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and a corresponding password. This password is set by the service provider, not the end-user. The network device broadcasts this Wi-Fi signal. When a compatible communication device (like a phone for hearing-impaired users) detects the SSID and sends the correct pre-configured password, the network device automatically allows the communication device to connect. This enables the communication device to access a captioning service through the network device's internet connection.
8. The network device of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to: receive an updated predetermined password corresponding to the predetermined password from an administrator of the remote communication service; and store the updated predetermined password in the memory device for future comparisons with the password received from the communication device.
Expanding on the network device that automatically connects compatible communication devices, the network device can receive updated Wi-Fi passwords from the captioning service provider. The device stores this new password and uses it for future connection requests from the communication devices. This allows for remote password updates without requiring user intervention.
9. The network device of claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the updated predetermined password through the communication elements to the communication device.
Continuing from the network device that can receive password updates, the network device also transmits the updated Wi-Fi password to the communication devices. This ensures the communication devices automatically have the correct password to connect to the Wi-Fi network after the password change, simplifying the update process.
10. The network device of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to broadcast at least one second local wireless signal that represents a different virtual access point having its own SSID, wherein: the local wireless signal having the predetermined SSID is used to permit the communication device to communicate with the remote communication service over the password protected network connection; and the at least one second local wireless signal is used to permit other communication devices to access network traffic unrelated to the remote communication service.
Building upon the network device that provides a pre-configured Wi-Fi network, the device can broadcast a second, standard Wi-Fi network with a different name (SSID). The pre-configured network is exclusively for communication devices to access the captioning service, while the second network allows other devices to access general internet traffic. This isolates traffic for the captioning service.
11. The network device of claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to provide higher priority to network traffic to the remote communication service over the password protected network and lower priority to network traffic over the at least one second local wireless signal when both are in use by different devices.
Expanding on the network device that broadcasts two separate Wi-Fi networks, the device prioritizes network traffic to the captioning service over traffic on the standard Wi-Fi network. This ensures that the captioning service receives sufficient bandwidth, even when other devices are heavily using the internet connection. This guarantees smooth and uninterrupted captioning services.
12. The network device of claim 11 , wherein the remote communication service is a remote captioning service and the network traffic receiving higher priority over the password protected network includes text captions received from the remote captioning service during a phone call.
Considering the network device that prioritizes traffic, the captioning service provides real-time text captions during phone calls. The network device gives higher priority to the caption data received from the captioning service, ensuring that the hearing-impaired user receives captions with minimal delay during the call.
13. The network device of claim 12 , wherein the network device is configured to set the password for the password protected network to not be editable by the user, and to set another password for the at least one second local wireless signal to be editable by the user.
Focusing on the network device broadcasting the two Wi-Fi networks, the password for the pre-configured network used by the communication device is locked and cannot be changed by the user. However, the password for the standard Wi-Fi network is user-configurable. This prevents users from accidentally disrupting access to the captioning service, while still allowing them to manage their own general internet access.
14. A communication system, comprising: a remote communication service configured to provide interpretive services for hearing-impaired users during a communication session; a plurality of network devices at remote locations from the remote communication service, each network device configured to: broadcast a wireless signal for a password protected network connection with a predetermined service set identifier (SSID) at its respective remote location; and have a corresponding password for the predetermined SSID stored within the network device for permitting connection to the password protected network connection, the corresponding password set within the network device without prior input by an end user of a corresponding communication device to initiate a connection with the password protected network connection; and a plurality of communication devices at the remote locations from the remote communication service, each of the communication devices specifically configured for use by a hearing-impaired user to connect with the remote communication service to receive the interpretive services, and further configured to automatically wirelessly connect to one of the network devices at its remote location over the password protected network connection by: detecting the predetermined SSID for the network device at its remote location; retrieving a specific predetermined password known by the communication device to correspond to the predetermined SSID in response to detecting the predetermined SSID; transmitting the specific predetermined password to the network device at its remote location for comparison to the corresponding password stored within the network device for permitting connection to the password protected network connection; and communicating with the network device to receive text captions over the password protected network connection that the network device received from the remote communication service for display to a hearing-impaired user during a communication session.
A communication system provides captioning services for hearing-impaired users. It includes a central captioning service and multiple network devices (e.g., routers) in different locations. Each network device broadcasts a Wi-Fi network with a pre-defined name (SSID) and password. Multiple communication devices (e.g., phones) are also located in these locations. These communication devices are pre-configured to automatically connect to the Wi-Fi network by detecting the SSID and using the corresponding password, without user intervention. The communication devices then receive captions from the captioning service through the network device.
15. The communication system of claim 14 , wherein each communication device of the plurality of communication devices has the same specific predetermined password stored in its memory device without end user input selecting the same specific predetermined password.
Building on the communication system, all the communication devices in the system share the same pre-defined Wi-Fi password. This means that users do not need to manually configure the Wi-Fi connection on each device. The password is pre-programmed and identical across all devices for simple setup.
16. The communication system of claim 14 , wherein each communication device of the plurality of communication devices is configured to retrieve the specific predetermined password by deriving the specific predetermined password using the predetermined SSID of the detected predetermined SSID broadcast by network device at its respective remote location based on one or more instructions stored on the communication device and without a portion of the specific predetermined password being stored on the communication device.
Expanding on the communication system, the communication devices don't store the Wi-Fi password directly. Instead, they use a set of instructions to calculate the password based on the detected Wi-Fi network name (SSID). This means that even if a device is compromised, the actual password is not stored on the device itself, improving overall system security.
17. The communication system of claim 14 , wherein the remote communication service is configured to transmit a firmware update to the plurality of network devices and the plurality of communication devices to update the specific predetermined passwords without end user input.
In the communication system, the captioning service can remotely update the Wi-Fi passwords on both the network devices and the communication devices. This can be done without requiring any action from the end-users, allowing the system administrator to easily maintain the security of the Wi-Fi network.
18. The communication system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of network devices and plurality of communication devices are part of a closed communication system run by a single administrator.
In the communication system, the network devices and communication devices are managed by a single administrator. This allows for tighter control over the system's configuration and security. The closed system prevents unauthorized devices from connecting.
19. The communication system of claim 18 , wherein the specific predetermined password is set as a common password provided to all of the plurality of communication devices of the closed communication system.
Continuing from the closed communication system, all communication devices in the system share a common Wi-Fi password. This password is centrally managed and pushed out to all devices by the administrator, simplifying the setup and management process.
20. The communication system of claim 19 , wherein each network device of the plurality of network devices has a unique predetermined SSID across the closed communication system.
Expanding on the closed communication system, while all communication devices share a common password, each network device broadcasts a unique Wi-Fi network name (SSID). This allows the system to identify the location of each communication device within the network, aiding in troubleshooting and management.
21. A method for automatically connecting a communication device with a network device over a password protected network, the method comprising: scanning service set identifiers (SSIDs) of local wireless networks and identifying a local wireless network having a predetermined SSID for a password protected network connection that has a corresponding password that was set without input from a user; retrieving a specific predetermined network password responsive to detecting the predetermined SSID, the specific predetermined network password known by the communication device to correspond to the predetermined SSID prior to the user initiating a first attempt to connect to the password protected network connection; transmitting the specific predetermined network password to a network device broadcasting the local wireless network having the predetermined SSID for comparison with the corresponding password and granting permission to connect to the password protected network connection; and communicating with a remote communication service through the network device over the password protected network connection, the remote communication service providing the communication device with text captions for a hearing-impaired user during a call.
A method for automatically connecting a device to a Wi-Fi network involves scanning for Wi-Fi networks and detecting a specific network name (SSID) that is pre-configured and password-protected. Once detected, the communication device automatically retrieves the matching password without the user having to enter it. It then transmits the password to the network device to gain access. Finally, the communication device communicates with a captioning service through the network device to display text captions for hearing-impaired users.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein scanning and retrieving occur during an initial installation of the network device and the communication device such that the specific predetermined network password is known by the communication device prior to first use by the hearing-impaired user.
In the automatic Wi-Fi connection method, the scanning and password retrieval process happens during the initial setup of the network and communication devices. The communication device automatically knows the correct password before the user ever tries to connect, providing a seamless "out-of-the-box" experience.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein scanning and retrieving occur after a hard reset of the network device occurs in which other configuration settings of the at least one of the network device or the communication device are erased but that the predetermined SSID and its corresponding password are not erased by the hard reset.
In the automatic Wi-Fi connection method, the scanning and password retrieval can also occur after a hard reset. Even if other settings are erased, the pre-defined Wi-Fi network name (SSID) and password remain intact. This ensures that the communication device can still automatically reconnect to the network and captioning service after a reset, without requiring user intervention.
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August 5, 2015
June 20, 2017
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